Apple races to launch Smart Glasses with AI features, iPhone support: Report

In a strategic shift, Apple is reportedly intensifying its efforts to bring its inaugural smart glasses to market, aiming to rival Meta's Ray-Ban lineup. Sources indicate that the tech giant has temporarily halted progress on the next iteration of its Vision Pro headset to focus on this eyewear initiative, as reported by MacRumors. Much like the early Apple Watch models, these forthcoming glasses are anticipated to serve as a fashionable accessory rather than just a technological gadget. Apple plans to offer a variety of styles and materials for the frames, allowing users to customize options in color, size, and shape. However, the challenge lies in integrating components such as the battery, processor, and cameras while keeping the design sleek and lightweight. The glasses will heavily depend on Apple's virtual assistant for functionality, underscoring the importance of an enhanced Siri. Apple has been revamping Siri with advanced large language models, with expectations that this upgraded version will debut in spring 2026. This next-generation assistant is designed to tackle more sophisticated tasks, including translation, navigation, and providing contextual awareness, such as identifying surroundings or reminding users of misplaced items. Although the initial version of Apple’s smart glasses is not expected to feature a built-in display like Meta's Ray-Ban Display glasses, it is projected to offer comparable AI functionalities found in Meta’s budget models. The device is set to operate using a custom chip akin to that of the Apple Watch, but it will likely require an iPhone connection for managing AI tasks and processing, which should aid in battery conservation. Industry insiders suggest that Apple may unveil the smart glasses in late 2026, with an official launch slated for early 2027. While pricing details remain undisclosed, Apple is likely to position the glasses competitively against Meta's offerings, which start around $380.